Common Diseases in Indonesia

Being aware of Indonesia’s common diseases is essential, so you are well-prepared before coming to Indonesia. As a developing country, Indonesia continues to provide a more extensive healthcare system and services available.

Before you go,

• Consult your doctor if you require any vaccinations against Hepatitis A and B, and typhoid, and or if you need any anti-malarial medications.
• You must have a complete dose of Covid-19 vaccinations before entering Indonesia as part of the visa and immigration regulation.
• You might also want to seek medical advice and prescription substitutes before you go if you have asthma or other respiratory conditions, allergies (i.e. peanuts, seafood and shellfish, dust, etc.), and any other medications needed for your personal conditions.
• If you need to bring a long-term supply of medications from your home country, obtain a signed medical statement and prescription from your doctor confirming the prescription for you in case the Indonesian customs question you upon arrival. Also keep the medicines in the original package. Check this helpful page from Expat.or.id on Pharmacies and Medications in Indonesia for additional reference.
• Have a general medical and dental health check.
• We encourage you to inform any physical and mental conditions you have that may impact your well-being in Indonesia to our International Student Engagement Counselor before you arrive, to help arrange any support needed for your health and well-being. All information you disclose will be kept confidential.
• Come healthy and happy!

Current and Common Health Concerns

Covid-19

New cases of Covid-19 are still found in many areas in Indonesia, although the rise of new cases is under control. Our government are relaxing some public mobilisation regulations. However, strict health protocols are still in place. You must have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 before entering Indonesia (at least 14 days before departure). You can monitor the current situation of Covid-19 development here, and please follow the preventive measures below when you are going out:

• Wearing a mask
• Practising good hand hygiene, including frequent hand washing and sanitising
• Physical distancing wherever possible (e.g. avoiding large crowds).
• Monitoring for symptoms and getting tested if required
• Update your health status as required per onsite campus and BSQ Hall of Residence regulations.
• Complying with all national, provincial, and local government restrictions imposed on the prevention of Covid-19 spread; including the use of PeduliLindungi applications and/or showing your vaccination certificates when entering public spaces and travelling, etc.

Mosquito-borne and insect-borne diseases

Mosquito-borne diseases are common in Indonesia, such as malaria, typhus, chikungunya, and dengue fever. You can take these preventive measures to keep yourself away from getting ill:

• Cover up with long, loose-fitting clothes, and use blankets when sleeping
• Use mosquito repellents (there are various forms of repellents you can wear (lotions or spray), or insect repellent sprays or incense for your rooms)
• A basin filled with water, flower vases, buckets, and other containers that can hold water has the potential to become a place for mosquitoes to nest. Diligently clean these places at least twice a week, and put a lid on any water containers to reduce the risk of mosquitoes carrying dengue fever.
• Keep your room clean and tidy, and install mosquito nets where necessary

Food, water, and environment

When arriving in Indonesia, international students often get a case of diarrhoea/ gastroenteritis or typhoid fever due to bacterial infections or more often due to contaminated food.

• Please take extra caution when you are eating from street vendors and if you are not used to some types of food. Eating from street vendors or warung is a cheaper option for your meals, but don’t forget to check for hygiene.
• Indonesian tap water is also not suitable for drinking, so always buy yourself bottled mineral water for drinking. Be cautious as well when you purchase iced beverages in warung/ street vendors.
• Avoid getting peeled fruits from street vendors as it might not be hygienic in processing
• Always clean meat, eggs, vegetables, and fruits thoroughly, especially if purchased from a traditional market. Cook your meals well.
• Some Indonesian dishes and diets probably contain some allergens, examples include:
  • Peanuts and tree nuts – some of the Indonesian traditional dishes contain peanuts (i.e. gado-gado, ketoprak, satay sauce, etc., or sweet snacks i.e. teng teng,) Always confirm with the sellers if you have peanut allergies.
  • Soy – soy sauce for seasonings, tofu and tempeh are also a very common food you find in Indonesian diets.
  • Garlic – is also a prominent ingredient used in many Indonesian dishes
  • Shellfish and seafood – you might find dishes that is made from/ contain shellfish such as sambal terasi (shrimp paste chilli sauce) often used for traditional fried rice, etc.

Indonesia’s metropolitan cities have a quite high pollution level. You might want to prepare extra precautions especially if you have asthma or other respiratory illness.

The weather in Indonesia can be very humid or dry, hot (with an average temperature of 26-32 degrees Celsius) or rainy almost all the year-round. The unpredictable weather can trigger cold and dehydration. You might also found an illness similar to cold symptoms or nausea that the local people called “masuk angin”  due to the weather and climate changes (the traditional remedies includes drinking warm herbal drinks and “kerokan” – a combination of massage and scraping your back with coins, or “boreh” – applying herbs that brings warming sensations on your back and stomach area)

Some international students also sometimes get rashes due to sweating and humid weather or get itchiness due to insect bites. Wear comfortable, light, breathable clothing, change your sweat-soaked clothes often and have a good shower after a long day outside to reduce the potential on developing rashes. Clean any insect bites thoroughly and apply some ointments to treat insect bites (or if you are unsure, visit the nearest clinic to avoid developing more rash/ irritation).

Sources:

(2022, Feb 17). Study in Indonesia: Healthcare. ACICIS. https://www.acicis.edu.au/study-in-indonesia/healthcare/

Living in Indonesia Expat. (2022). Medical Travel Advice to Indonesia. Colliers International. https://www.expat.or.id/medical/traveladvicetoindonesia.html

Yi, Minh Joo. (2017). Common Diseases in Indonesia. Borgen Project. https://borgenproject.org/common-diseases-in-indonesia/